Picking a Comprehensive Plan Team: Liveable City Leads Effort for Informed Choice
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Liveable City hires Heidi Gibbons as membership and Outreach Coordinator
Liveable City has hired Heidi Gibbons as its new Outreach and Membership Coordinator. Ms. Gibbons brings extensive experience in development and outreach and has previously worked with a number of local non-profit organizations, including Austin Metropolitan Ministries (now AAIM), Family Eldercare, and People's Community Clinic. Her professional background includes experience in volunteer recruitment, event planning, and outreach for campaigns, fundraisers and other causes to benefit the community.
"We're excited to have Heidi on board," says Brian Donovan, Liveable City Board Co-chair. "We're looking forward to reaching and engaging more people about the issues that really matter to Austin residents." Donovan notes that in tough economic times, it is especially important to ensure that public policies work for everyone who calls Austin home. "Liveable City has the expertise and passion to take on critical issues like affordable housing, health care and education," he says, "Having Heidi's help to get the word out will be invaluable."
The Liveable City "Stop Domain Subsidies" Ballot Study
The Board of Liveable City designated a Board study team to review and report on the "Stop Domain Subsidies" Charter Amendment (Proposition 2), which qualified for the November 4, 2008 General Election ballot through a citizen initiative. Proposition 2 is one of two charter propositions on the ballot and will be voted on by City of Austin and Austin's extraterritorial jurisdiction voters. The purpose of Liveable City's study is to present a review of the arguments for and against the proposed amendment and to provide analysis to assist Austin voters in making a decision on this important public matter.
The Proposition 2 Ballot Study is Liveable City's latest report focusing on Austin's economic development and growth management policies. Previous studies include: The Economic Impact of Local Businesses Versus National Chains (December 2002); Community Priorities for a Healthy Economy: A Survey of Austin Residents (May 2003); and Building A More Sustainable Economy: Economic Development Strategy and Public Incentives in Austin (May 2008). In its 2008 study, Liveable City identified specific reforms needed to create a unified, sustainable economic strategy - including a well-defined transparent public process for awarding incentives - to better position Austin for future economic challenges and opportunities.
Download Study (PDF)
Domain Settlement Agreement (PDF)
Liveable City Releases Study of Austin's Economic Development Strategy and Incentive Programs
Liveable City, an Austin non-profit working to protect the quality of life of the people of Austin, today released a first of its kind report examining economic development strategy and use of public incentives in Austin.
The report questions where Austin's economic development strategy comes from, how it is implemented, and what institutions shape our economic development policies and programs. Focusing on tax incentives and how they fit into broader economic development activities, the study examines why incentives are used, how much the city is giving, and what the taxpayers are getting from the public investment. The study also identifies reforms needed to create a unified, sustainable economic strategy, embraced by the community, to better position Austin for future economic challenges and opportunities.
Entitled, Building a More Sustainable Economy: Economic Development Strategy and Public Incentives in Austin, the study was authored by economist Michael Oden, a professor in the Community and Regional Planning Department at the University of Texas at Austin.
2008 Liveable Vision Awards
This year's awards at the George W. Carver Museum and Cultural Center were a success and great fun. We were honored to recognize the organizations and individuals who best exemplify Austin's five E's of Sustainability: Engagement, Equity, Economy, Environment and Esthetics. Many thanks to our sponsors!
- Equity: Austin Voices for Education and Youth: For connecting our public schools to youth, their families, and their communities expanding educational and job opportunities for the young people of Austin.
- Engagement: The Create Austin: Cultural Plan: For gathering Austin's diverse players on to one large stage with the goal of sustaining and promoting Austin's arts and creativity.
- Esthetics: Butler (Town Lake) District Park: For creating a uniquely Austin park for families and friends to splash in a fountain, watch the moon or share a kiss.
- Economy: HelioVolt: For innovation and commitment to community in locating the next generation of solar manufacturing in Austin and blazing a trail in the booming green economy.
- Environment: Texas Campaign for the Environment and Dell Computer: For inspiring and creating "America's Take Back Program," the industry's leading recycling program setting a new mark for corporate responsibility.
Click to enlarge. Photos courtesy of Roxanne Mitchell and Steve Bell.
What does Liveable City stand for?
Affordable housing strengthening the fabric of our neighborhoods.
Better transportation including improved bikeways, roads and rail.
A clean environment protecting the aquifer, our parks and open spaces
Fair public investment policies that keep taxes low.
Economic opportunity providing equitable job distribution and wages
Thriving local businesses keeping dollars spent in Austin invested in Austin
Social equity with access to quality health care, education and a sense of safety for all of Austin.
Community initiatives currently supported by Liveable City
* Housing Works
* Transportation Initiative
* Solar Austin
* Austin Full Circle
* Envision Central Texas
